XENOPHOBIC THUGS ROAM ZANDSPRUIT

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According to residents the attack followed a brawl at a
shebeen where a Xhosa-speaking man was allegedly shot by a man of
Zimbabwean origin.

Other Xhosa-speaking residents then launched "vengeance
attacks", severely beating people who do not speak their
language, destroying property and burning shacks. South
African-born people were also victimised.

Alleta Moyo's shack was petrol-bombed. "I saw it coming.
On Friday they pelted my shack with stones. Just when I thought
we survived, they struck again on Monday morning and threw
petrol-bombs," she said. Moyo and her family escaped without
injuries.

She believes she was attacked because she is married to a
Zimbabwean, who has lived in South Africa since 1960. "My
husband has been in this country since then and I believe he
qualifies for citizenship," she says. Her husband - one of
the founders of the Zandspruit settlement - is in hospital
following a severe beating at the hands of the gang, Moyo says.

"I am shattered, this was not only a home, I also ran a
spaza shop. I have nothing left, I mean nothing. These clothes on
my back are all I have."

Moyo has reported the arson to the police, but says they told
her there is insufficient evidence and they will not be
investigating.

There is a widespread feeling at Zandspruit that police are
not doing enough to stem the violence. Residents claim officers
at Honeydew police station are colluding with the leader of the
gang responsible for the attacks on foreigners.

However, a spokesman for the Honeydew police station says:
"It is not true that police are colluding with certain
individuals, nor is it true that police are taking sides as far
as this matter is concerned. We have deployed more policemen in
the area on a 24-hour basis to ensure safety and security of the
residents.

"Victims are being contacted and possible leads are being
followed with a possibility of making arrests. Cases are still
under investigation."